October 2018
This month's ELN Focus takes a deeper look at the University of Virginia's research program, Fairfax Pre-Kindergarten to 3rd Grade (FP-3).

Discover how UVA's work contributes to the network's collective goal to advance our understanding of policies and practices that help narrow the achievement gap and maintain early learning success as children transition from preschool to third grade.
University of Virginia
Project update: University of Virginia - Early Learning...

The University of Virginia is conducting three interconnected research studies as part of the project, Fairfax Pre-Kindergarten to 3rd Grade. The findings will help early childhood policymakers and practitioners across the U.S. better understand...

Read more
earlylearningnetwork.unl.edu
Q&A with Erik Ruzek
Erik Ruzek, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator, University of Virginia team;
Research Assistant Professor, Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning, Curry School of Education


Erik Ruzek shares his perspective on the Early Learning Network’s research program led by the University of Virginia, Fairfax Pre-Kindergarten to 3rd Grade. FP-3 examines educational practices and policies in one of the country’s fastest-growing and most diverse regions.

Ruzek is particularly interested in increasing our understanding of how children’s perceptions and motivations affect learning and ongoing academic success.

"We are focused on identifying holes in our knowledge about children’s academic and social experiences in classrooms. This leads us to pursue ideas and invent measures that can help us better understand the early schooling experience."

— Erik Ruzek, Ph.D.
UVA research program setting
The University of Virginia's research studies take place in Fairfax County Public Schools. Fairfax County is one of the country’s fastest-growing and most diverse regions, serving more than 2,000 low-income children in publicly funded preschool programs. 

Below is a snapshot of the UVA team's sample demographics.
Op-ed: Running on a new promise for pre-K - Early...

By Robert C. Pianta In the public debates on education issues, it is common to propose solutions to the field's most entrenched challenges as quick and precise answers to pressing problems; in short, silver bullets. And this is particularly true...

Read more
earlylearningnetwork.unl.edu
The Early Learning Network, funded by the Institute of Education Sciences , leverages its expertise, resources and geographic diversity to help close the achievement gap and maintain early learning success as children transition from preschool to third grade. Together, network researchers from universities and organizations across the U.S. are examining current policies and practices, identifying malleable factors associated with early learning and achievement and developing tools to assess early learning instruction, interactions and environments. Learn more at earlylearningnetwork.unl.edu.
Connect with us
Follow us on Twitter
Engage with us on
Share our mailing list